Tool for removing bushing adaptors

ABSTRACT

A TOOL FOR REMOVING FLANGED END ADAPTOR FITTINGS FROM THE ENDS OF BUSHINGS IN THE ENDS OF EQUALIZER BEAMS. THE TOOL INCLUDES A BODY THAT ENGAGES THE FLANGED END OF THE ADAPTOR FITTING WHICH IS FLUSH AGAINST A PART OF THE BEAM HANGER SUPPORTING THE BUSHING. THE BODY SUPPORTS A HYDRAULIC RAM WHICH ACTUATES A LEVER DRIVING A STEM WHICH EXTENDS INTO THE BORE OF THE BUSHING FOR EJECTING THE ADAPTOR FITTING. THE TOOL IS ADAPTED ALSO TO EJECT THE ADAPTOR FITTING AT THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE BUSHING.

United States Patent [191 West June 28, 1974 TOOL FOR REMOVING BUSHING 3.041,?13 7/1962 Gronlund 29/267 x ADAPTORS 3.121941 2/1964 Bellarts 29/252 [76] Inventor; V/Xillialgl Ai d 12 9 133 Vista Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith an a l Assistant Etaminer.l. C. Peters [22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1971 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Albert M. Herzig et a1.

[2]] Appl. No.: 214,057 [57] ABSTRACT [52] U 5 Cl I 29/252 29/267 29/282 A tool for removing flanged end adaptor fittings from [5]] B23p -19/04 the ends of bushings in the ends of equalizer beams. 58] i 267 282 The tool includes a body that engages the flanged end HP of the adaptor fitting which is flush against a part of the beam hanger supporting the bushing. The body draulic ram which actuates a lever driv- [56] References Cited .Supports a hy I mg a stem which extends into the bore of the bushing UNITED STATES PATENTS for ejecting the adaptor fitting. The tool is adapted gist/g5; gr

also to eject the adaptor fitting at the opposite ends of agne h b 2,890,520 6/l959 Ford 29/283 X 6 us mg 3,007,241 1 H1961 Gonzalez 29/282 X 11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures r 42 a :5! if I 1 I 1 u 36 l 100 40 1 r001. FOR REMOVING BUSHING ADAPTORS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a tool particularly constructedfor facilitating the removal of cylindrical adaptor fittings from the bore of a bushing in which the fittings may become frozen. The bushing concerned with more particularly may be one provided in the ends of an equalizer beam forming part of a vehicular axle suspension system. Such a system is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,458,214 of the herein inventor.

In the construction referred to, the bushing is of course cylindrical; and the mounting includes a cylindrical flanged adaptor fitting in each end of the bushing, the bushing being carried by a beam hanger axle bracket. Maintenance requires servicing and sometimes replacement of the bushings. The adaptor fittings frequently become frozen in place by reason of rust or 2 other reasons making it extremely difficult to remove them, particularly, while the suspension system and wheels are in position on the vehicle. In the past, it has been customary to removethe wheels and/or the entire suspension system for purposes of removing the adaptor fittings. I

While the exemplary embodiment of the invention as described in detail herein is disclosed in detail from the standpoint of its particular adaptability for removing adaptor fittings from equalizer beam bushings, it is to be understood that the tool of the invention may have other uses or adaptations in other situations where it is desired to remove a tightly fitting end member from the end of a cylindrical bore.

In the light of the foregoing, the primary object of the invention is to provide a tool to facilitate and make possible the removal of adaptor fittings from equalizer beam bushings in automotive vehicles. Particularly, this -may be accomplished without removing the wheels or disassembling the axle suspension.

Another object is to provide a tool of the type referred to which can readily be positioned adjacent to the adaptor fittings to be removed without removing the vehicle wheels and which embodies a hydraulic ram capable of actuating the tool to remove or eject the adaptor fittings from both ends of the fittings.

Another object is to provide a tool as in the foregoing adapted for removing adaptors which have a central bore, the tool embodying a pusher member which can be inserted into the interior of the bushing through a bore in an adaptor fitting; and one of the adaptor fittings can be ejected by way of a ram-operated stem which engages the pusher and forceably ejects the adaptor fitting.

A further object resides in the provision of alternate ways of assembly of the tool to facilitate removal or withdrawal of the adaptor fitting at the other end of the bore in the bushing after the adaptor fitting at the first end has been removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the-following detailed description and annexed drawings wherein:

' FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an axle suspension showing a tool in outline form in position for removing an adaptor fitting;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a typical bushing at the end of an equalizer beam forming part of an axle suspension;

FIG. 3 is a view of the tool in cross section view of the bushing assembly illustrating its use;

FIG. 3a is a view of a modified form of pusher unit:

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the bushing assembly illustrating removal of an adaptor fitting from the other end of the bushing;

FIG. 5 is a view of an alternative form of the invention illustrating its adaptability for removing an adaptor fitting by pulling it out from one end of the bushing after the adaptor has been removed from the other end of the bushing;

FIG. 6 is a view of another alternative form of the tool illustrating its utilization for removing the adaptor fitting from the other end of the bushing;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of another alternative wherein 0 the fitting is tapped and an eye bolt is threaded into it;

and

FIG. 8 is a partially sectional view of an alternative form of apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FlG.l is a schematic illustration of a vehicle having a chassis l0 and tandem axles l2 and 14. Both axles carry wheels as shown. Numerals l6 and 16' designate saddles supported by the chassis. These saddles support equalizer beams. At the end of each beam is a beam hanger for an axle. The end part of one of the equalizer beams is shown at 20 in the figures. The end of the equalizer beam has a bore 22 in which is received a bushing identified by the numeral 24. The bushing comprises an inner cylinder 26 and an outer cylinder 28 with flexible material in the form of a rubber cylinder 30 between the metal cylinders.

The inner cylinder 26 has a bore 34. Fitting in the ends of this bore are adaptor fittings as designated at 36 and 36' which are alike. The adaptors or adaptor fittings are in the form of cylindrical bushings as shown, the adaptor 36 having a bore 40 and a larger counterbore 42 and an end flange 44. As stated, the adaptor fittings are alike. Numerals 46 and 46' designate the legs of a beam hanger which is attached to the axle of the vehicle, the legs 46 and 46' having apertures through which the adaptors 36 and 36 extend. These legs are between the flanges 44 and 44 and the ends of the bushing 24. The adaptors are normally held in place by way of a bolt as designated at 50 which extends through the bores 40 and 40' and is secured by a nut 52.

The bushings and adaptors require maintenance servicing and at times, need to be repaired or replaced. The adaptors or adaptor fittings may become frozen into the ends of the bushings by reason of rust or other wise. It is then extremely difficult to eject or remove them.

The tool of the invention is particularly adapted for removal of the adaptors. FIG. 1 shows the tool in outline in position for removing adaptors without removing the vehicle wheels or disassembling the axle suspension.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred form or adaptation of the tool. Numeral 56 designates a body member in the form of a bar having an upper end part in which is provided a relatively large bore 58 of a diameter such that it can fit over the flanges 44 and 44' on the adaptors shown. The other end of the member 56 hasa smaller bore 60 adapted to have pass through it the stem 62 to locate hydraulic actuator or ram 64, the stem 62 having a head 66 on its end. The end of the body member 56 fits against the housing or casing of the ram or hydraulic actuator 64. The body 56 is formed to have a group of three transverse slots in its intermediate part, one of which is designated at 70. Fitting into these slots are the ends of a group of three spacer members, one of which is designated at 72. These spacer members are held in position by way of a pivot member or stem 74 that extends through bores in the body member 56 and the bores in the ends of the spacer member 72. At the opposite ends of the spacer members as shown at 72 is a pair of levers one of which is designated at 80, these levers being interleaved into the spaces between the three spacer members 72 and being pivotally attached to them by way of a pivot stem 82 which extends through the ends of the spacer members and levers. The upper ends of. the levers as shown at are pivotally attached to an actuating stem 84 by way of a pivot member or stem 86. At the lower ends of the levers as shown at 80 they are pivotally attached to a member by means of a pivot member 92. The member 90 has a bore 96 and the end part of the stem 62 fits into the bore. The plunger or ram of actuator 64 pushes on member 90 while stem 62 aligns ram 64, body 56,and member 90.

Numeral 100 designates a short rod-like pusher member having one flat side as designated at 102 and having an annular groove in it as designated at 104. A cord or string can be tied to the member 100 around the annular groove 104. This member is of a size that it can be inserted to the interior of the bushing 24 through a bore such as the bore 40 in the adaptor 36'. By pulling the string, its flat side can be pulled against the inner end of the adaptor 36' as shown in FIG. 3. The end of the stem 84 is arcuate or concave so as to fit against and hold the member 100 in a position as shown at FIG. 3.

In the form of the invention shown, hydraulic actuator or ram 64 can be driven by way of a manually actuatable pump having an operating handle 112.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will understand the operation and use of the tool of the invention. Member 100 is first inserted into the interior of the bushing 24 with a string tied to it; and then, it is pulled in position against the end of the adaptor such as the adaptor 36 as shown in FIG. 3. The tool is then assembled in position as shown in FIG. 3 with the bore 58 of body 56 fitting over the flange 44 on the adaptor 36'. The stem 84 connected to the levers 80 is extended through the bore 40 in the other adaptor 36 with its end against the member 100, the flat side of which is against the inner end of the adaptor 36' as shown. The hydrau- .lic ram or actuator 64 may then simply be actuated to cause the stem 62 to be forced outwardly, which rotates the levers 80 in a counterclockwise direction causing the stem 84 to exert thrusting force against the member 100 and against the adaptor 36. As much force is developed as is necessary to eject the adaptor which is guided outwardly by way of its flange 44 moving in the bore 58 in the body 56. As can be seen, the adaptor can be removed in this manner in a safe way and without removing the wheels or disassembling the axle suspension.

FIG. 3a shows a modified preferred form of pusher unit. Rod 113 has a flat side 114 and slot 115 in which is pivoted the end of manipulator handle or stem 116. Member 113 can be inserted through the bore of the adaptor 36' in the position as shown in full lines in FIG. 3a and then turned through 90 degrees. The adaptor is then pushed out as described.

After the first adaptor 36 has been removed, the tool adapts itself to two alternative techniques for removing the other adaptor 36. To remove the other adaptor, an eye nut is used. This comprises a bolt having a head 122. Numeral 124 designates a member which threads onto the bolt and it has an extending lug 126 with an opening or eye 128 in it. (See FIGS. 4-6.)

FIG. 5 shows one of the alternative adaptations for removing the adaptor 36. Since the adaptor has been removed from one end of the bushing 24, the bolt 120 can be inserted through the bore of' the bushing from the open end.

Body 56 is positioned as shown in FIG. 5 with its bore 58 fitting over the flange 44 on the fitting 36, the end of the body member being flush against the yoke leg 46. The member 124 fits into the counterbore 42 in the fitting 36. The bolt 120 extends through the bore 40 and is threaded into the member 124. The levers as shown at 80 have their ends pivoted on opposite sides of theeye member 126 by way of pin 130. The spacer members as shown at 72 in FIG. 3 are not used. The opposite end of the body 56 is against the end of the housing of the hydraulic ram or actuator 64, and its-stem 90 is pivotally attached to the other ends of the levers like the lever 80 by way of a pivot pin 132.

In using the tool in the alternative form shown in FIG. 5, the ram 64 is actuated in the manner described to draw the stem 90 inwardly. The levers as shown at 80 engage against a point on the body 56 and they fulcrum against this point in rotating in a clockwise direction when the stem 90 is drawn inwardly. This causes an outward pull or thrust to be exerted on the eye member 126 and the bolt 120. Thus, the fitting 36 is drawn out from the end of the bushing 124, its flange being guided within the bore 58 in the body 56.

The alternative form shown in FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 5, except in the following respects. Lever members such as 80' have extended end parts as shown at with an extending stem or stems 142 which bear against and fulcrum on the end part of the body 56 as shown. In this alternative, the hydraulic ram 64' is actuated to drive the stem 90 outwardly rather than pulling it inwardly. This rotates the lever members such as 80 in the counterclockwise direction, these levers fulcrumming about the end of stem 142 as shown so that an outward pull is exerted on the member 126 and 124. The bolt 120 pulls the fitting 36 out from the end of the bushing.

FIG. 7 shows a possible alternative wherein threads are tapped into bore 40. Eye bolt 120 is then threaded into bore 46, and fitting 36a is removed as in FIGS. 5 or 6.

FIG. 8 shows another alternative wherein the fitting 36b has an elongated bore 150. Bolt 152 has an elongated head 154, and its end has an indicator slot 156. The bolt is inserted head first through the bore while the fitting is in position and then turned through 90 so it engages the inner end of the fitting. Then, it

can be pulled out as described in connection with FIG. 6.

It should be observed that the alternatives of FIGS. 7 and 8 are'adaptable for removing the first adaptor, this removed as well as the second. The adaptors 36a and 36b identify an adaptor in either end of the bushmg.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will readily understand the nature of the construction of the tool of the invention, the manner in which it is used, and the manner in which it achieves and realizes all of the objects and advantages as set forth in the foregoing. The tool is extremely useful for its purpose to facilitate the removal of fittings from the ends of cylinders, such as bushing cylinders as explained. It is adapted to use without removal of vehicle wheels or disassembly of the axle suspension.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred fonns of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

I. As an article of manufacture, a tool for removing a cylindrical fitting tightly positioned within an end part of a cylindrical bore in a tubular member comprising, a rigid body having a surface part having an opening adapted to be positioned against the tubular member with the opening over the end of the cylindrical fitting, said body having an extending part, a hydraulic ram positioned on one side of and in abutment with said extending part at a position spaced laterally from the axis of said bore, lever means connected at one end to said hydraulic ram, means connected to said lever means and having engagement with the cylindrical fitting, means on said body adjacent said opening providing a fulcrum for said lever whereby upon actuation of the hydraulic ram, the lever means is swung about said fulcrum in a direction to eject the cylindrical fitting from said cylindrical bore.

2. A tool as in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical fitting is an adaptor fitting having a central bore, said means 6 engaging said fitting comprising a member extending from the end of said lever means through the bore of the fitting.

3. A tool as in claim 2, wherein said means extending through the bore of a fitting engages the interior end of the fitting so to be adapted for ejecting the fitting by exerting a pulling force.

4. A tool as in claim 1, including spacer means extending between said body and said lever means providing a fulcrum about which lever means pivots.

5. A tool as in claim 1, wherein said lever means are positioned adjacent to said body whereby to fulcrum about said body at an intermediate point of said lever means.

6. A tool as in claim 1, wherein said engaging means comprises a member having a threaded end threaded into a threaded bore in the cylindrical fitting.

7. A tool as in claim 3 wherein said means comprises a bolt having a head engageable with the inner end of the fitting.

8. A tool as in claim 7 wherein the said fitting has a bore of irregular cross section the said means comprising a bolt having a head of a corresponding irregular shape so that the head can be inserted through the bore and then turned to engage the inner end of the fitting.

9. A tool as defined in claim 1 for removing one of axially spaced cylindrical fittings in said tubular memher, said fittings each having an axial bore therein, wherein: said means connected to said lever means comprises a stem extending from said lever means through the axial bore in one of said fittings, said stem abutting engaging means abutting the inner end of the other fitting, said body surface part engaging said tubular member at the outer end of said other fitting.

10. A tool as defined in claim 9 wherein said engaging means is separate from said stem and being of a size and shape to be insertable through the bore of said other fitting then turned to span across said bore.

11. A tool as defined in claim 10 including a manipulating stem connected to said engaging means. 

